Going Beyond Usage Metrics to Measure Real Product Impact
Sep 19, 2024
auto_awesome
Connor Joyce, an author and expert in evidence-based product development, challenges the assumption that high usage metrics equal success. He discusses the importance of aligning product features with real user needs to achieve genuine impact. Connor introduces innovative concepts like feature impact analysis and the insights hub, advocating for a culture of evidence-based decision-making. His insights on fostering experimentation within product teams aim to transform how organizations approach product development, ensuring offerings truly meet customer challenges.
High usage metrics do not guarantee product success, emphasizing the need to evaluate genuine impact on user outcomes and business goals.
Establishing a strong connection between user behaviors and product features is essential to ensure products effectively address customer needs and achieve desired outcomes.
Deep dives
Understanding Product Effectiveness
The effectiveness of products is often misjudged based on usage metrics alone. Just because a feature is being utilized frequently does not necessarily mean it is delivering the value intended for customers. Many teams fall into the trap of equating high usage with success, which can lead to significant customer churn if the product ultimately fails to meet user needs. Recognizing this distinction is crucial for product managers to ensure that their offerings truly solve customer problems, rather than merely being popular without meaningful impact.
The Importance of the User Outcome Connection
Establishing a strong connection between user outcomes and product features is essential for creating a successful product. By understanding the intended behavior changes that lead to desired outcomes, product teams can better align their development efforts with customer needs. This involves rigorous feature analysis and the identification of specific behaviors that need to change in order to achieve both user satisfaction and business impact. The process of defining these connections enhances the capacity for evidence-based decision-making in product development.
Building an Insights Hub
Creating an insights hub is critical for consolidating research and definitions related to product features within a team. Unlike traditional research repositories, which can be overly academic and siloed, an insights hub serves as a collaborative space where product managers and researchers can access and share relevant insights. This approach fosters alignment within teams regarding product features and their intended impact, moving beyond simple research to inform strategic product decisions. By centralizing data and insights, organizations can improve their capability to make informed decisions based on evidence.
Embracing a Culture of Experimentation
A culture of experimentation is vital for innovative product development, yet many organizations hesitate to adopt such practices due to fears of complexity or resource demands. However, effective experimentation can be conducted on various scales, from simple A/B tests to more complex studies, without excessive resources. The key is to start small and iterate, gradually building confidence and evidence within the organization. Encouraging teams to think of experimentation as an integral part of the product development process can lead to greater innovation and better alignment with user needs.
In this episode of Rocketship.FM, we dive deep into the world of evidence-based product development with Connor Joyce, author of "Bridging Intention to Impact." Connor challenges the common assumption that high usage metrics automatically equate to product success. Instead, he introduces a comprehensive framework for measuring genuine impact on user outcomes and business goals.
Connor shares insights from his experience at Microsoft and various startups, explaining how product teams can move beyond surface-level metrics to truly understand if their features are solving customer problems. He introduces key concepts like the user outcome connection, feature impact analysis, and the insights hub - all aimed at creating a culture of evidence-based decision making in product development. Whether you're a seasoned product leader or an individual contributor looking to drive change, this episode offers practical strategies for ensuring your products don't just get used, but actually work.
This episode is sponsored by:
Virtual Edition of INDUSTRY: The Product Conference: Join hundreds of Product Managers and Product Leaders from all around the world for a day-long virtual conference experience -- including keynote sessions, interactive discussions, virtual networking and more. Purchase your pass before September 15th, and you can register for just $99 (saving 50% off of the day of show rate).
Wix Studio: Designed for agencies, freelancers and enterprises, Wix Studio lets professional web designers and developers unleash their creativity—faster and better than ever. You can create high-end sites at scale while harnessing the robust infrastructure and business solutions that already come with Wix.